Page 202 of Storm of Bells
He took another step forward. Abruptly, Irealized how small this damn room was. ‘I might not be able to takehis money. I might not be able to take his land. But I can damnwell take what matters most to him!’
‘What do you mean?’ I hissed. But, by the wayhis steel-blue eyes were piercing me, I already had mysuspicions.
‘You’re leaving,’ he hissed. ‘Now! Today! Heisn’t going to get you.’
Instinctively, my chin rose higher. ‘And whythe heck should I do that? Go to hell!’
‘Iwon’t. Buthemight, if you don’t do as I say.’ Taking astep towards me, he speared me with his gaze. ‘That stupid foolmight not care if he’s running around with a crossdressingsquab,[35]but the rest of the worldmost certainly will. What do you think will happen when everyonefinds out what the two of you have been up to all these years? Doyou think any self-respecting man would still want to do businesswith a joke like Rikkard Ambrose?’ Eyes gleaming with triumph, hetook another step closer. He was almost close enough to reach outand touch me now. ‘If I can’t ruin that insolent little upstart’sbusiness, I’ll take ruining his life as a consolation prize.’
‘No! No, don’t!’ The words escaped my mouthwithout my permission. Dalgliesh’s smile widened in triumph.
‘I can do it easily, just like that.’ Hesnapped his fingers. ‘Do you have any idea how many newspapers arein my possession? One telegram to London, and the news will bespread all over Britain.Business man cavorts withcross-dressing harlot– has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?’
‘What do you want?’ I gritted my teeth. ‘Spyfor you? I already told you, I won’t do it!’
‘Weren’t you listening?’ His eyes glittered.‘I don’t want you to spy. I want you to leave. Go. Vanish into thinair!’
My mouth went dry. ‘Why?’
But, as with my previous question, I alreadyknew why.
‘Ruin. His. Life.’ Every word was a stab witha poisoned arrow. ‘That’s why. That little weasel dared to try andchallenge me, and I’m going to pay him back one way or another!Accept my offer or not. Leave or not. I don’t care—he’ll be brokeneither way! But if you don’t leave, he’ll not just be broken, he’llbe a byname for scandal and stupidity! Once I’m finished with him,he’ll be laughed right out of the country! So, Miss Linton…shall Isend my men to help you pack your bags?’
I opened my mouth to respond, and—
‘I would rather listen to the laughs of athousand fools,’ came a cold voice from the other end of the room,‘than put off this wedding one second.’
—I closed my mouth again.
Mr Rikkard Ambrose strode into the room, eyesblazing with cold fire. Stalking over towards me, he kicked one ofLord Dalgliesh’s crutches out from under him, sending him stumblingback. Never in my life had I been so happy to see someone assault adisabled person.
‘Don’t get an inch closer.’ Mr Ambrose’svoice was as cold and deadly as an arctic wind. ‘Not. One.Inch.’
‘Is it true?’ I whispered. ‘Would youreally…for me…?’
He didn’t answer. He didn’t turn to face me.He just reached back, took my hand and gave it a long, hard,squeeze. Relief flooded through me.
‘Good Lord, you really mean it, don’t you?’Taking a careful step backwards, Dalgliesh stared at Mr Ambrose asif he was seeing him for the first time. ‘I would never have takenyou, of all people, to be a starry-eyed fool! I’ll drag your namethrough the mud until there’s nothing left!’
Mr Ambrose’s eyes narrowed infinitesimally.‘I’ve spent years digging through the mud. I don’t mind filth.After all, I’m speaking to you, aren’t I?’
Red spots appeared on Dalgliesh’s cheeks.‘Don’t you dare make fun of me, you little worm! I’ll squash youone way or another! I’ll—’
Mr Ambrose moved faster than I could blink.In an instant, he was right in front of Dalgliesh. ‘Make nomistake.’ He spoke so low I could hardly hear him, let aloneunderstand. ‘Spread all the innuendo and rumours you want. I don’treally care. The wedding is going to happen. Even if you print allthe sordid details you can invent in every newspaper in England, Iwon’t care. However…’ Suddenly, his voice lowered even more, to athoroughly dangerous level. ‘However, I would not recommend youresort to violent methods. If you dare, I will end you!’
‘End me?’ Dalgliesh scoffed. ‘Ha! And what doyou think you can possibly do that could harm me?’
‘Do?’ Arctic cold glittered in Mr Ambrose’seye. ‘I won’t have to do anything. All I need is to speak oneword.’ Stepping forward, he leaned towards Dalgliesh, until he wasalmost touching the man’s ear, and whispered, ‘Enfield!’
Dalgliesh paled. ‘You can’tpossibly…how! How the hell do you know?’
All he got as an answer was silence.
‘Y-you wouldn’t dare! Making that publicwould topple the entire…you wouldn’t dare!’
Still, nothing but silence. Mr Ambrose cockedhis head, as if to sayHave you met me?
What little colour was left in Dalgliesh’sface drained away.
